Party Sandwich Loaf

This sandwich loaf will be the talk of the party. Lots can be said about the delicious shrimp, olive and ham fillings!

Ingredients

Shrimp Salad Spread

1/3

cup mayonnaise or salad dressing

1/4

cup finely chopped celery

2

tablespoons lemon juice

1/4

teaspoon salt

1/8

teaspoon pepper

2

hard-cooked eggs, finely chopped

2

cans (4 oz each) tiny shrimp, rinsed, drained, chopped

Olive-Nut Spread

2

packages (3 oz each) cream cheese, softened

1

cup finely chopped walnuts (4 oz)

1/2

cup finely chopped pimiento-stuffed olives

Deviled Ham Spread

1/2

cup sour cream

1/4

cup sweet pickle relish, drained

2

tablespoons grated onions

1/8

teaspoon red pepper sauce

2

cans (4 1/4 oz each) deviled ham

Loaf

2

loaves (1 1/2 lb each) unsliced sandwich bread

1/2

cup butter or margarine, softened

4

packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened

1

cup half-and-half

Few drops food color, if desired

Directions

1In medium bowl, mix all shrimp salad spread ingredients until well blended. In second medium bowl, mix all olive-nut spread ingredients until well blended. In third medium bowl, mix all deviled ham spread ingredients until well blended.

2Trim crusts from bread loaves. Cut each loaf horizontally into 4 equal slices. Lightly spread butter over 3 slices. Place 1 buttered slice on each of 2 serving plates or trays; spread each evenly with half of the shrimp salad spread. Top with second buttered slices; spread each evenly with half of the olive-nut spread. Top with third buttered slices; spread each evenly with half of the deviled ham spread. Top with unbuttered slices. Lightly press each loaf together.

3In medium bowl, mix 4 packages cream cheese, half-and-half and food color. Spread half of mixture over sides and top of each loaf. Refrigerate about 30 minutes or until cream cheese mixture has set. Cover tightly; refrigerate at least 2 1/2 hours but no longer than 24 hours. To serve, remove from refrigerator, cut into slices. Store covered in refrigerator.

Expert Tips

To make these party loaves even easier, just pick up a variety of fillings at the deli or the refrigerated section of your supermarket.

Top it off! Olive slices, slices of hard-cooked egg, green onions and fresh herbs make attractive and tasty toppings.